Propulsion unit network

ABSTRACT

A network system using a LAN to provide relative position data for a engine in a plurality of outboard motors attached to a watercraft and using that data to display engine condition information for each engine in the array of engines installed on the watercraft.

PRIORITY INFORMATION

This application is based on and claims priority to Japanese PatentApplication No. 2001-327409, filed Oct. 25, 2001, the entire content ofwhich is hereby expressly incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to the control and use ofmultiple propulsion units in watercraft, and more particularly tonetworking an array of propulsion units in a vehicle.

2. Description of the Related Art

Relatively small watercraft such as pleasure boats and fishing boats canemploy a propulsion unit such as an outboard motor or a plurality ofoutboard motors. An outboard motor typically incorporates an internalcombustion engine placed atop thereof and a propeller disposed in asubmerged position when the associated watercraft rests on a surface ofa body of water. The engine powers the propeller to propel thewatercraft. A plurality of side by side outboard motors can be mountedon the transom of the watercraft.

Outboard motors pose unique challenges to operators when multipleoutboards are used simultaneously on a watercraft. Each outboard willbehave differently based on their positions on the transom. Eachoutboard motor in the array is capable of tilting and trimming duringoperation in concert with the other motors in the array or independentlywithin the array.

One aspect of using multiple outboard motors in an array on a watercraftis that all outboard motors in the array may not produce the samethrust, and may run with different characteristics such as efficiency,power output, and durability. For example one outboard motor my begin towear out faster, or may produce less thrust, than the others in thearray.

Constructing a watercraft with multiple propulsion units creates certaindifficulties. For example, when multiple outboard motors are connectedto a boat, separate conduits are normally attached to each motor. Inparticular, a separate control cable is used to connect each throttlelever to each outboard motor. Additionally, separate conduits are usedto connect each outboard motor with designated gauges mounted in thecockpit for monitoring conditions of the engine, such as engine speedand temperature. In such a marine environment, of course, all of theconduits should be protected from corrosion, and in the case ofelectrical conduits, protected from short circuits caused by water.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention includes the realization that theassembly of a watercraft can be simplified by using networkingtechniques for connecting an outboard motor with remote devices disposedin a cockpit of a watercraft. For example, all watercraft havingoutboard motors, except for the smallest class of such watercraft,include a cockpit disposed remotely from the outboard motor. Thesecockpits include at one throttle levers, and preferably, at least onegauge cluster for monitoring the conditions of the outboard motor. Byusing networking techniques to connect the throttle lever, gaugecluster, and the outboard motor, a single communication line can be usedto connect the cockpit devices with the outboard motor. The singlecommunication line can carry control signals from the throttle lever tothe outboard motor as well as condition signals from the outboard motorto the gauge cluster.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, an outboardmotor comprises an engine and a position module configured to storeposition data indicative of a mounting position of the outboard motor.The outboard motor also includes at least one sensor configured todetect a condition of the engine and to generate an engine conditionsignal indicative of the condition. Additionally, the outboard motorincludes an output module configured to output data indicative of thecondition and the position.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a propulsionunit condition display comprises a position module configured to storeposition data indicative of a position at which a propulsion unit ismounted to a watercraft. A communication module is configured to receivea signal containing position data and propulsion unit condition data. Adisplay device is configured to display propulsion unit condition datathat is received by the communication module and which corresponds toposition data stored in the position module.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, a networkon a watercraft comprises at least a first propulsion unit conditiondisplay configured to display a condition of a first propulsion unitconnected to the watercraft. At least one sensor is configured to detecta condition of the first propulsion unit and to generate a signalincluding condition data indicative of the condition. A communicationdevice is configured to transmit across the network the condition datapacketed with position data indicative of a first position at which thepropulsion unit is mounted to the watercraft.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, a methodis provided for correlating a display device to one of a plurality ofpropulsion units connected to a network. The method comprisestransmitting a query command requesting an identification response fromall display devices and propulsion units connected to the network. Theidentification response includes position data. The method also includesreceiving identification responses from the display devices and motorsconnected to the network, and determining if there are anyidentification responses with unique position data.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the presentinvention will now be described with reference to the drawings of apreferred embodiment, which is intended to illustrate and not to limitthe invention. The drawings comprise nine figures.

FIG. 1 is a persepctive view of a watercraft having a four outboardmotors attached thereto, and a cockpit having a remote control and aplurality of gauge clusters for monitoring conditions of the outboardmotors.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the watercraft whocn in FIG. 1 and anetwork connecting the plurality of outboard motors with the remotecontrol and display devices, wherein each of the remote control, displaydevices, and outboard motors include a position module.

FIG. 3A is a schematic diagram illustrating a position module for theoutboard motors illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 3B is a schematic diagram illustrating a modification of theposition module illustrated in FIG. 3A.

FIG. 3C is a schematic diagram illustrating a further modification ofthe position module illustrated in FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating position information that canbe stored in any one of the position modules illustrated in FIGS. 3A-3C.

FIG. 5A is a schematic diagram illustrating a position module for theremote control illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5B is a schematic diagram illustrating a modification of theposition module illustrated in FIG. 5A.

FIG. 5C is a schematic diagram illustrating a further modification ofthe position module illustrated in FIG. 3A.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating position information that canbe stored in any one of the position modules illustrated in FIGS. 5A-5C.

FIG. 7A is a schematic diagram illustrating a position module for thedisplay devices illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 7B is a schematic diagram illustrating a modification of theposition module illustrated in FIG. 7A.

FIG. 7C is a schematic diagram illustrating a further modification ofthe position module illustrated in FIG. 7A.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating position information that canbe stored in any one of the position modules illustrated in FIGS. 7A-7C.

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram showing one example of a method for storingposition data into certain of the position modules illstrated in FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With initial reference to FIG. 1, a watercraft 10 advantageouslyincludes a network connecting at least one outboard motor with at leastone other components in the watercraft 10 and configured in accordancewith certain features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention.The watercraft 10 provides an exemplary environment in which the networkhas particular utility. The network of the present invention may alsofind utility in applications where multiple engines are used inparallel.

As shown in FIG. 1, the watercraft 10 is comprised of a hull 12 and fouroutboard motors 13 a-13 d. The hull 12 is provided with a remote control20 connected with remote control levers 21 a and 21 b, a steering unit30 connected with a steering wheel 31, and engine condition displaydevices 40 a-40 d corresponding respectively to the outboard motors 13a-13 d.

As the outboard motors 13 a-13 d are operated with the remote controllevers 21 a, 21 b and the steering wheel 31, conditions of each of theoutboard motors are displayed by the corresponding engine conditiondisplay devices 40 a-40 d. In this embodiment the remote control lever21 a corresponds with the outboard motors 13 a and 13 b and the remotecontrol lever 21 b with the outboard motors 13 c and 13 d, respectively.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the inboard LAN (LocalArea Network) system 11 within the hull 12. The LAN 11 connects thedevices 40 a-40 d, 20, 30 in the hull 12 to the outboard motors 13 a-13d. The LAN 11 may be constructed by either wire, wirelss (such asinfrared, radio wave, ultrasonic waves), or other means of connecting aLAN. Thus, each of the devices in connected by the LAN 11 include adevice for communicating in accordance with a networking protocol. TheLAN 11 is described below in greater detail.

The remote control 20 is comprised of lever angle sensors 22 a and 22 bfor sensing the angle of the remote control levers 21 a and 21 b,respectively. The remote control further comprises a position module 23,a CPU 24, and a transmitter-receiver 25. The remote control 20 isdescribed below in greater detail.

The steering unit 30 has a steering target angle sensor 32 connected tothe steering wheel 31, a CPU 33, and a transmitter-receiver 34. Thesteering unit 30 is also described below in greater detail.

The engine condition display devices 40 a-40 d have engine conditiondisplay sections 41 a-41 d for displaying at least one condition of arespective engine in the array. The condition display devices furthercomprise position modules 42 a-42 d, CPUs 43 a-43 d, andtransmitter-receivers 44 a-44 d, respectively. The display devices 40a-40 d are described below in greater detail.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the general construction of theoutboard motors 13 a-13 d is set forth below. Throughout the descriptionof the internal components of the outboard motors, only the outboardmotor 13 a is referenced directly. However, the other outboard motors 13b-13 d can be constructed in an identical or similar manner.Additionally, components of the outboard motors 13 b-13 d are identifiedusing the same reference numerals used for the corresponding componentsof the outboard motor 13 a, except that the “a” has been changed to a“b”, “c” or “d”.

The outboard motor 13 a comprises a drive unit and a bracket assembly(not shown). The bracket assembly comprises a swivel bracket and aclamping bracket. The swivel bracket supports the drive unit for pivotalmovement about a generally vertically extending steering axis. Theclamping bracket, in turn, is affixed to a transom of the watercraft 10and supports the swivel bracket for pivotal movement about a generallyhorizontally extending axis. A hydraulic tilt system (not shown) can beprovided between the swivel bracket and clamping bracket to tilt thedrive unit up or down. If this tilt system is not provided, the operatormay tilt the drive unit manually. Since the construction of the bracketassembly is well known in the art, a further description is not believedto be necessary to enable those skilled in the art to practice theinvention.

As used throughout this description, the terms “forward,” “front” and“fore” mean at or toward the side of the bracket assembly, and the terms“rear,” “reverse” and “rearwardly” mean at or to the opposite side ofthe front side, unless indicated otherwise.

The drive unit includes a power head disposed at an upper portion of thedrive unit, and a driveshaft housing connecting the power head to alower unit. The outboard motor 13 a also includes an engine 62 adisposed in the power head. A drivetrain mechanism 63 a extends throughthe driveshaft housing and connects the engine 62 a to a propeller 64 ain the lower unit.

The engine 62 a preferably operates on a four stroke or two strokecombustion principle. However, the engine 62 a can be configured tooperate on other combustion principles (e.g., diesel, rotary, etc).

The engine 62 a includes a cylinder block. The cylinder block definesone or a plurality of cylinder bores extending generally horizontallyand spaced generally vertically from each other. The engine can includemultiple cylinder blocks defining multiple cylinder banks. As such, theengine 62 a can be an in-line, V-type, or W-type engine.

A piston (not shown) reciprocates in each cylinder bore. A cylinder headassembly is affixed to one end of each cylinder block and definescombustion chambers with the pistons and the cylinder bores. The otherend of each cylinder block is closed with a crankcase member defining acrankcase chamber.

A crankshaft extends generally vertically through the crankcase chamber.The crankshaft is connected to the pistons by connecting rods androtates with the reciprocal movement of the pistons within the cylinderbores. The crankcase member is located at the forward most position ofthe power head, and the cylinder block and the cylinder head assemblyextend rearwardly from the crankcase member.

The engine includes an air induction system and an exhaust system. Theair induction system is configured to supply air charges to thecombustion chambers through at least one intake passage. A throttle body(not shown) supports a throttle valve (not shown) therein for pivotalmovement. Where multiple throttle bodies are used, the correspondingvalve shafts are linked together to form a single valve shaft assemblythat passes through the throttle bodies.

In the illustrated embodiment, a throttle actuator 81 a (FIG. 2) isoperatively connected to the throttle valve. For example, the throttleactuator 81 a can be in the form of a stepper motor connected to thethrottle valve shaft. The throttle actuator 81 a is connected to andcontrolled by the ECU 61 a, based on the position of the lever 21 a,described in greater detail below. When the actuator 81 a rotates thethrottle shaft, the throttle valve is rotated within the throttle body,thereby changing the opening of the throttle valve.

A throttle valve opening sensor or “throttle valve position sensor” 71 ais configured to detect a position of the throttle valve and generate asignal indicative of the opening of the throttle valve. A signal fromthe position sensor 71 a is sent to the ECU 61 a for use in controllingvarious aspects of engine operation including, for example, but withoutlimitation, fuel supply control and/or ignition control which isdescribed below. The signal from the throttle valve opening sensor 71 acorresponds to the engine load in one aspect as well as the throttleopening.

The air induction system can also include a bypass passage or idle airsupply passage that bypasses the throttle valves (not shown). The engine62 a also preferably includes an idle air adjusting unit (not shown)which is controlled by the ECU 61 a.

The exhaust system (not shown) is configured to discharge burnt chargesor exhaust gasses outside of the outboard motor 13 a from the combustionchambers.

The engine 13 a also includes a fuel control system (not shown). Thefuel control system can be in the form of a carburated system, aninduction fuel injection system, or a direct fuel injection system.Depending on which type of system is used, the ECU 61 a can beconfigured to control an amount of fuel delivered.

The engine 62 a can also include an ignition system (not shown)configured to ignite compressed air/fuel charges in the combustionchamber. Where the engine 62 a is a non-diesel engine, at least onespark plug (not shown) is fixed on the cylinder head assembly andexposed into the combustion chamber. The spark plug ignites the air/fuelcharge at a certain timing as determined by the ECU 61 a to burn theair/fuel charge therein.

The outboard motor 13 a also includes a driveshaft housing dependingfrom the power head which encloses a drivetrain mechanism 63 aconnecting the crankshaft to a propeller 64 a. The driveshaft housingsupports a driveshaft (not shown) which is driven by the crankshaft ofthe engine 62 a. A lower unit (not shown) depends from the driveshafthousing and supports a propeller shaft driven by the driveshaft. Thepropeller shaft extends generally horizontally through the lower unit. Apropeller 64 a is affixed to an outer end of the propeller shaft and isthereby driven.

The drivetrain mechanism 63 a also includes a transmission (not shown)provided between the driveshaft and the propeller shaft. Thetransmission connects the driveshaft and the propeller shaft, which liegenerally normal to each other (i.e., at a 90° angle), with a bevel gearcombination.

A shifter mechanism (not shown) is configured to shift the transmissionbetween forward, neutral, and reverse positions. In the illustratedembodiment, the outboard motor 13 a also includes a shift actuator 82 aconfigured to cause the shift mechanism to shift between the forward,neutral, and reverse gear positions. A shift position sensor 72 a isconfigured to detect the gear position and generate a signal indicativeof the gear position. As noted above, the lever 21 a is connected to theECU 61 a. Thus, the ECU 61 a can control the shift actuator 82 a basedon the position of the lever 21 a, described in more detail below.

As noted above, the ECU 61 a controls engine operations including fuelsupply, and firing of the spark plugs, according to various control mapsstored in the ECU 61 a. In order to determine appropriate controlscenarios, the ECU 61 a utilizes maps and/or indices stored within theECU 61 a with reference to data collected from various sensors. Forexample, the ECU 61 a may refer to data collected from the throttlevalve position sensor 71 a and other sensors provided for sensing enginerunning conditions, ambient conditions, or conditions of the outboardmotor 13 a that will affect engine performance.

In the illustrated embodiment, there is provided, associated with thecrankshaft, at least one engine speed sensor 74 a which is configured togenerate a signal indicative of the speed of the engine 62 a. Forexample, the speed sensor 74 a can define a pulse generator thatproduces pulses which are, in turn, converted to an engine speed withinthe ECU 61 a or another separate converter (not shown).

The outboard motor 13 a also includes a steering angle sensor 73 a thatis configured to detect an angular position of the outboard motor 13 arelative to the transom of the watercraft 10 and to generate a signalindicative thereof. The outboard motor 13 a also includes a steeringactuator 83 a that is configured to change an angular position of theoutboard motor 13 a relative to the transom of the watercraft 10. Forexample, the steering actuator 83 a can comprises a hydraulic steeringactuator typically used in the outboard motor arts, or any other knownsteering actuator. The steering actuator 83 a is connected to the ECU 61a and is thus controlled by the ECU 61 a based on the position of thesteering wheel 31.

The above noted sensors correspond to merely some of those conditionswhich may be sensed for purposes of engine control and it is, of course,practicable to provide other sensors such as an oxygen sensor, a watertemperature sensor, a lubricant temperature sensor, intake air pressuresensor, intake air temperature sensor, an engine height sensor, a trimangle sensor, a knock sensor, a neutral sensor, a watercraft pitchsensor, and an atmospheric temperature sensor in accordance with variouscontrol strategies.

Additionally, the ECU 61 a is configured to process the controls for theoutboard motor 13 a. The ECU 61 a preferably comprises a CentralProcessing Unit (CPU), storage (such as RAM and ROM), auxiliary storagedevices (such as nonvolatile RAM, hard disk, CD-ROM, and magneto-opticaldisk), and a clock. The various functions described herein can beprogrammed into the ECU 61 a in the form of a computer program. However,one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the ECU 61 a can becomprised of one or a plurality of hard-wired modules configured toperform the functions described herein. Alternatively, the ECU 61 a canbe comprised of one or a plurality of dedicated processors and memorieswith programs for performing the functions disclosed herein.

As shown in FIG. 2, the motor 13 a includes a position module 91 a. Theposition module 91 a is configured to store position data indicative ofthe position of the motor 13 a relative to the hull 12. For example, theposition module 91 a can be configured to store data indicative of theposition of the motor 13 a relative to the hull 12 or relative the othermotors 13 b-13 d.

In one embodiment, the position of each of the motors 13 a-13 d isrepresented by their respective place in the order from the portside tothe starboard with “1”, “2”, “3”, or “4”. The numeral value “1”, “2”,“3”, or “4” corresponds to the physical location of the motors.

The position data can be in the form of a character, symbol, number, orcombination thereof as long as this position data differentiates themotors 13 a-13 d from each other. It is not necessary for the number andthe order of the positions to correspond to a particular order. Forexample, a position from the portside to the starboard may be indicatedwith “3”, “2”, “1”, and “4” in turn.

With reference to FIG. 3A, the position module 91 a can comprise aposition storage module 911 configured to store position data indicativeof the position of the motor 13 a relative to the hull 12 or the othermotors 13 b-13 d. Preferably, in this embodiment, the storage module 911stores predetermined position data. For example, the position storagemodule 911 can comprise ROM, nonvolatile RAM, and the like configured tostore symbols or characters corresponding to the position data so as tomaintain the storage data even after the LAN 11 is turned off. Thisposition data can be stored in the storage module 911 at the time ofinstallation of the module into the motor 13 a. The term “maintain” usedherein includes any configuration capable of electronically storing theposition data or maintaining the data in any form such as mechanicalincluding, but without limitation, jumpers or switches.

FIG. 3B illustrates a modification of the position module 91 aillustrated in FIG. 3A, and is identified generally by the referencenumeral 91 a′. In this modification, the position module 91 a′ can beconfigured to allow for the selection position data. In one embodiment,the position module 91 a′ comprises a position storage module 912, and aposition selection module 913.

The position storage module 912 can be constructed in accordance withthe description set forth above with reference to the storage module911, except as noted below.

The position selection module 913 can be configured to allow a user tomanually choose one of a plurality of predetermined position data, andto store the manually selected position data in the storage module 912.For example, in one embodiment, the position selection module 913includes switches such as, for example, but without limitation, DualIn-line Package (DIP) switches allowing a user choose a switchconfiguration indicative of the position of the motor 13 a.

FIG. 3C illustrates another modification of the position module 91 aillustrated in FIG. 3A, and is identified generally by the referencenumeral 91 a?. In this modification, the position module 91 a? can beconfigured to allow a user to input the position of the motor 13 arelative to the hull. In one embodiment, the position module 91 a?comprises a position storage module 914, and a position input module915.

The position storage module 914 can be constructed in accordance withthe description set forth above with reference to the storage modules911 and 912, except as noted below.

In one embodiment, the position input module 915 can be configured to beconnected to a computer keyboard or a computer for recieving dataindicative of the position of the motor 13 a.

Optionally, the motor 13 a can be configured to detect a conditionindicative of the position of the motor 13 a. For example, the motor caninclude a resistance sensor. In one mode, the resistance detector can beincluded in the ECU 61 a. In this mode, the resistance detector can beconfigured to detect a resistance in the communication conduitsconnecting the components of the LAN 11, which are generally identifiedby the numeral 14. In this example, the LAN 11 is configured such thatthe communication lines 14 have different resistances at the respectivepositions where the motors 13 a-13 d are mounted.

For example, the lines 14 at the mounting position of motor 13 a canhave a resistance in a first resistance range, and the lines 14 at themounting position of motor 13 b can have a resistance in a secondresistance range different from the first resistance range. In anexemplary but non-limiting embodiment, the first range can be between 0°and 50°, and the second resistance range can be between 50° and 100°.However, these resistances are merely for illustrative purposes.

In this example, the ECU 61 a can be configured to detect the resistanceat the mounting position, and convert the resistance into position datacorresponding to the mounting position of the motor 13 a. For example,ECU 61 a can further comprises a memory (not shown) with a mapcorrelating resistances with mounting positions. Thus, the ECU 61 a canbe configured to compare the detected resistance with the values in themap, input the data through the position input module 915, which thenstores the postion data in the position storage module 914.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary position data stored in any of theposition storage modules 911, 912, 914. As such, the position data, thevalue of which is “1” in this illustrative example, can be referred toduring the operation of the motor 13 a. Thus, when the motor 13 acommunicates with any other component on the LAN 11, the position datacan be included so that the other components can associate thetransmitted data with the motor 13 a.

For example, as noted above, the most widely used networking protocolsrequire data to be distributed in packets. Each packet can include aheader with identifying information, such as, for example, but withoutlimitation, the intended recipient or the sender. Thus, when the motor13 a transmits information across the LAN 11, the motor 13 a can formatthe information into a packet in accordance with the networkingprotocol, and include the position data in the header. Advantageously,the motor 13 a is configured to send engine operation condition dataover the LAN 11, wherein the condition data is identified with theposition data. The condition data can be any type of data, including forexample, but without limitation, any of the data collected from any ofthe sensors listed above. In the illustrated embodiment, the ECU 61 a isconfigured to perform the function of formatting and transmitting datafor communication across the LAN 11, as well as receiving data from theother components connected to the LAN 11.

Other components on the LAN 11 that are configured to receive data fromthe motor 13 a, can be configured to read the headers of the packetsmoving through the LAN 11 and accept those packet having the properheader. However, this is merely an example for illustrative purposes.The position data can be included anywhere in the packets transmittedfrom the motor 13 a.

It is not necessary that all of the motors 13 a-13 d have the identicalconstruction. For example, the motors can have different components andoperate under different principles, e.g., diesel, rotary, two-stroke,four-stroke, etc. Additionally, the motors 13 a-13 d can have differentsensors. For example, in one embodiment, only the outboard motor 13 aincludes an atmospheric pressure sensor. The atmospheric pressure sensoris used for detecting atmospheric pressure which directly affects themass of air in a given volume. When at high altitudes (low atmosphericpressure) the amount of air in a given volume is less than that at lowaltitudes. The difference of the atmospheric pressure, however, betweenthe motors 13 a-13 d is nominal because of their close proximity. TheECU 61 a of the engine 13 a can be configured to transmit theatmospheric pressure data over the LAN 11 to be received by all of theother motors 13 b-13 d.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the remote control 20 includes leverangle sensors 22 a and 22 b configured to detect the position or tilt(angle) of the remote control levers 21 a and 21 b, respectively. Thelever angle sensors 22 a, 22 b are configured to sense the position inintervals in a step-wise manner. Optionally, the sensors 22 a, 22 b canbe configured to detect the position of the levers 21 a, 21 bcontinuously in a proportional manner.

The remote control 20 also includes a central processing unit 24 whichis configured to manage the operations of the entire remote control 20.A transmitter-receiver 25 transmits and receives data from the LAN 11 inaccordance with the networking protocol in operation therein.

The remote control 20 also includes a position storage module 23 that isconfigured to store position data indicative of the positions of themotors 13 a-13 d that are respectively controlled by the levers 21 a, 21b. For example, the storage module 23 can be configured to store dataindicating that lever 21 a corresponds to motors 13 a, 13 b, and thatlever 21 b corresponds to motors 13 c, 13 d.

FIG. 5A schematically illustrates one embodiment of the storage module23. The storage module 23 can be comprised of a position storage module231 constructed in accordance with the construction of the positionstorage modules 911, 912, and 914 described above, except as notedbelow.

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary position data stored in the storagemodule 231. As such, FIG. 6 shows that the lever 21 a corresponds tomotors 13 a, 13 b, (positions 1 and 2) and that lever 21 b correspondsto motors 13 c, 13 d (positions 3 and 4).

FIG. 5B illustrates a modification of the position module 23 illustratedin FIG. 5A, and is identified generally by the reference numeral 23′. Inthis modification, the position module 23′ can be configured to allowfor the selection of any of a plurality of predetedmined positon datacorrelating the levers 21 a, 21 b to the motors 13 a-13 d. In oneembodiment, the position module 23′ comprises a position storage module232, and a position selection module 233.

The position storage module 232 can be constructed in accordance withthe description set forth above with reference to the storage module231, except as noted below.

The position input module 233 can be configured to accept manually inputposition data, and to store the manually input data in the storagemodule 232. For example, in one embodiment, the position selectionmodule 913 includes switches such as, for example, but withoutlimitation, Dual In-line Package (DIP) switches allowing a user choose aswitch configuration indicative of the position of the motor 13 a.

FIG. 5C illustrates another modification of the position module 23illustrated in FIG. 5A, and is identified generally by the referencenumeral 23?. The position module 23? includes a position storage module234 and a position detection module 235. In this modification, theposition module 23? can be configured to allow a user to input theposition of the motor 13 a relative to the hull

The position storage module 234 can be constructed in accordance withthe description set forth above with reference to the storage modules231 and 232, except as noted below.

In one embodiment, the position input module 235 can be configured to beconnected to a computer keyboard or a computer for recieving dataindicative of the position of the motor 13 a.

The CPU 24 is configured to receive the lever position data from thesensors 22 a, 22 b, and to correlate the lever position data with themotor position data in the position storage module 23. For example, theCPU 24 can sample the output from the sensor 22 a and create two datasets, each having engine power request data contained thereincorresponding to the position data from the sensor 22 a. The CPU 24 canorganize the lever position data into two sets such that one setincludes position data indicating one of the positions stored in theposition module 23, 23′, or 23? as corresponding to the lever 22 a, andthe other set includes position data corresponding to the other positiondata stored position module 23, 23′, or 23? correlated to the lever 22a. Additionally, the CPU 24 is configured to perform the same procedurefor the lever 21 b and the corresponding data.

The transmitter-receiver 25 is configured to send the data sets aspackets of the LAN 11, to the motors 13 a-13 d. The motors 13 a-13 d canbe configured to accept certain packets from the remote control. Forexample, as noted above, the motor 13 a can be configured to accept andapply engine control data, such as a power request data, only if thepacket includes the position data corresponding to the motor 13 a. Inone example, the motor 13 a will only accept and use power request dataif it includes the position data “1”, which indicates that the powerrequest data is for the motor 13 a.

However, it is to be noted that although the description set forth aboveis directed to an embodiment with four motors 13 a-13 d, and two levers21 a, 21 b, the number of the outboard motors is not limited to 4.Rather, the remote control 20 can be connected to a watercraft havingother numbers of outboard motors (e.g., but without limitation, 2, 3, or5). Additionally, the ratio of the remote control levers to the numberof outboard motor is not limited to 1 or 2. Rather, each lever includedin the remote control can control any number of engines, e.g., butwithout limitation, the ratio of levers to motors can be 1 to 1, or, 1to 3.

As noted above, the lever 21 a controls the motors 13 a and 13 b, andthe lever 21 b controls the motors 13 c and 13 d. If the lever 21 a istilted towards the bow and the lever 21 b is tilted toward the stern,the motors 13 a and 13 b are driven in the forward gear while the motors13 c and 13 d are driven in the reverse gear. This allows the watercraft10 to turn sharply.

With reference to FIG. 2, the steering unit 30 includes a target anglesensor 32, a CPU 33, and a transmitter receiver 34. The target anglesensor 32 is configured to detect the angle of the steering wheel 31,and to generate a signal indicative of the angle.

The CPU 33 is a central processing unit and manages the operations ofthe entire steering unit 30. As noted above, the target angle sensor 32outputs a steering control signal (steering target angle signal)indicative of the angle at which the steering wheel 31 is turned. TheCPU 33 is configured to sample the signal from the sensor 32 and convertthe signal into a steering angle request data. Additionally, the CPU 33can be configured to combine the steering request data with positiondata corresponding to one or a combination of the motors 13 a-13 d.

The transmitter-receiver 34 is configured to transmit steering requestdata packeted with position data across the LAN 11 to the motors 13 a-13d. In the illustrated embodiment, the steering unit 30 transmits thesame steering data to all the motors 13 a-13 d. Thus, the CPU 33 cancreate steering request data sets with position data for each of themotors 13 a-13 d including the same steering request data. Thus, each ofthe motors can receive the steering request data packet having theappropriate position data, and control the corresponding steeringactuators 83 a-83 d in accordance with the steering request data.

With reference to FIG. 2, the display devices 40 a-40 d respectivelyprovide condition information for indicating the condition of the motors13 a-13 d to the boat operator. An example of the condition informationthat can be displayed is engine speed, engine oil level, oil pressure,engine temperature, etc. As noted above, each of the display devices 40a-40 d, in the illustrated embodiment, include condition displaysections 41 a-41 d, position modules 42 a-42 d, CPUs 43 a-43 d, andtransmitter-receivers 44 a-44 d, respectively.

The condition display sections 41 a-41 d can comprise general purposedisplay devices, or can be configured to display certain types ofinformation graphically, with text, or a combination of text andgraphics. Preferably, the display sections 41 a-41 d are analog displaysor digital displays such as CRTs (cathode ray tubes) and LCDs (liquidcrystal display units).

The CPUs 43 a-43 d are comprised of central processing units and managethe operations of each of the display devices 40 a-40 d. As noted above,the CPUs 43 a-43 d can be in the form of a dedicated, purpose builtprocessor with a memory for running one or a plurality of programs, or ageneral purpose processor and memory for executing one or a plurality ofcomputer programs.

The transmitter-receivers 44 a-44 d perform the receiving andtransmitting functions for the display devices 40 a-40 d across the LAN11, described below in greater detail.

The position modules 42 a-42 d are configured to store position datacorresponding to at least one of the motors 13 a-13 d, respectively.FIG. 7A illustrates one embodiment of an exemplary position module 42 a.It is to be noted that the position modules 42 a-42 d can be configuredin accordance with the description of the position module 42 a set forthbelow.

As shown in FIG. 7A, the position module 42 a can comprise a positionstorage module 421. The position storage module 421 can be constructedin accordance with the description of the position storage module 911set forth above with reference to FIG. 3, except as noted below. Assuch, the storage module 421 stores position data correlating thedisplay device 40 a with the mounting position of one of the motors 13a-13 d.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example of position data that can be stored in thestorage module 421. As shown in FIG. 8, the storage module 421 indicatesthat the display device 40 a corresponds to mounting position 1, theposition where motor 13 a is mounted.

FIG. 7B illustrates a modification of the position module 42 aillustrated in FIG. 7A, and is identified generally by the referencenumeral 42 a′. In this modification, the position module 42 a′ can beconfigured to allow for the selection position data. In one embodiment,the position module 42 a′ comprises a position storage module 422, and aposition input module 423.

The position storage module 422 can be constructed in accordance withthe description set forth above with reference to the storage module421, except as noted below.

The position input module 423 can be configured to allow a user tomanually choose one of a plurality of predetermined position data, andto store the manually selected position data in the storage module 422.For example, in one embodiment, the position selection module 423includes switches such as, for example, but without limitation, DualIn-line Package (DIP) switches allowing a user choose a switchconfiguration indicative of the position of the motor 13 a.

FIG. 7C illustrates another modification of the position module 42 aillustrated in FIG. 7A, and is identified generally by the referencenumeral 42 a″. In this modification, the position module 42 a″ can beconfigured to allow a user to input the position of the motor 13 a to bemonitored by the display device 40 a. In the illustrated embodiment, theposition module 42 a″ comprises a position storage module 424, and aposition input module 425.

The position storage module 424 can be constructed in accordance withthe description set forth above with reference to the storage modules421 and 422, except as noted below.

In one embodiment, the position input module 425 can be configured to beconnected to a computer keyboard or a computer for recieving dataindicative of the position of the motor 13 a

In another embodiment, the display device 40 a is configured to detectunpaired motors connected to the LAN 11, then store the position datacorresponding to the unpaired motor in the position module 42 a. Thus,the position module 42 a can configure itself to monitor one of aplurality of outboard motors attached to a corresponding watercraft.

For example, the CPU 43 a can be configured to query all of thecomponents connected to the LAN 11 for an identification response. Asused herein, the term “identification response” is intended to mean anyresponse transmitted across the LAN 11 which includes data indicative ofthe type of device generating the response. Preferably theidentification response also includes position data.

For example, the outboard motors 13 a-13 d can be configured to transmitmotor identification responses, in response to a query, includingposition data. Optionally, the motors 13 a-13 d can be configured toinclude device type data having data indicating that a motor hasgenerated the response. The position data can be the same position datadescribed above with reference to the position data stored in theposition module 91 a.

Additionally, the display devices 40 a-40 d can be configured totransmit display device identification responses, in response to aquery, including position data. Optinally, the display devices can alsobe configured to include device type data having data indicating thatone of the display devices 40 a-40 d has generated the response. Theposition data can be the same position data described above withreference to the position data stored in the position module 42 a.

Additionally, the position detection module 425 can be configured tolook at the responses returned across the LAN 11 and determine if any ofthe motors 13 a-13 d on the LAN 11 are not paired with one of thedisplay devices 40 a-40 d. For example, for each of the motors 13 a-13 dthat are paired with a display device 40 a-40 d, the querying displaydevice will receive a response from one motor, e.g., motor 13 a, with aposition data, e.g., 1, and a response from a display device, e.g.,device 40 a, with corresponding position data, e.g., 1. However, ifthere is an outboard motor connected to the LAN 11 that is not alreadypaired with a display device, the querying display device will onlyreceive a response from a motor correlated to a position, without acorresponding display device. Thus, the display devices can beconfigured to store the position data from the unpaired motor to theposition storage module 424, and thereafter display information fromthis motor on its display section.

The position detection module 425 can be in the form of a hard-wiredelectronic module, a dedicated processor and memory containing one or aplurality of programs for execution by the processor, or a generalpurpose processor and memory storing one or a plurality of programs forexecution by the general purpose processor.

A method for correlating a display device, such as the display devices40 a-40 d with an outboard motor, such as the outboard motors 13 a-13 dis described below in greater detail with reference to FIG. 9.

During operation, the remote control 20 outputs throttle control signals(target throttle opening signals) and shift control signals (targetshift position signals) for controlling the respective throttles and thetransmissions of engines 62 a-62 d in accordance with operations of theremote control levers 21 a and 21 b by a boat operator.

When the operator operates the remote control levers 21 a, 21 b, controlsignals are transmitted from the remote control 20. For example, whenthe levers 21 a, 21 b initially are pushed forwardly from a centralneutral position, the transmissions within the drivetrain mechanisms 63a-63 d are shifted into forward gear by the shift actuators 82 a-82 d.The watercraft 10 then moves forward at idle speed. When the levers 21a, 21 b initially are tilted toward the stern from the neutral position,the transmissions are shifted into reverse gear by the shift actuators82 a-82 d. Then, the watercraft 10 moves in reverse at idle speed. Whenthe remote control levers 21 a, 21 b are tilted at an increasing angletoward the bow or stern beyond a predetermined degree, the throttles ofthe engines 62 a-62 d are gradually opened, and the rotational speed ofthe propellers 64 a-64 d, and thus the watercraft speed increases.

In one embodiment the identifying information may be used to control theengines 62 a-62 d of the motors 13 a-13 d. For example, when the remotecontrol 20 sends engine control data packets across the LAN 11, the ECUs61 a-61 d receive the control packets and compare the position datacontained in the packets with the position data stored in the respectiveposition modules 91 a-91 d. If the data in the position modules 91 a-91d match the position data in the control data packet, the ECU of thematching motor 13 a-13 d responds by controlling the correspondingengine 62 a-62 d in accordance with the control data. For example, butwithout limitation, the ECU can control the throttle actuator 81 a-81 dor the shift actuator 82 a-82 d. If the position data in the packet doesnot match the data in the position module 91 a-91 d, the correspondingECU ignores the packet.

The LAN 11 can also be used to transmit information from the motors 13 ato the display devices 40 a-40 d, respectively. For example, the ECUs 61a-61 d detect various conditions of the corresponding engines 62 a-62 dduring operation. For example, but without limitation, the ECU 61 a cancollect motor condition data from the throttle opening sensor 71 a, theshift position sensor 72 a, the steering angle sensor 73 a, the enginespeed sensor 74 a, as well as numerous other sensors, for example, butwithout limitation, an oxygen sensor, a water temperature sensor, alubricant temperature sensor, an intake air pressure sensor, an intakeair temperature sensor, an engine height sensor, a trim angle sensor, aknock sensor, a neutral sensor, a watercraft pitch sensor, and anatmospheric temperature sensor.

As noted above, the motors 13 a-13 d can transmit any of the data fromthe sensors noted above, along with position data from the respectiveposition module 91 a-91 d, across the LAN 11. The engine conditiondisplay devices 40 a-40 d receive the coupled engine condition andposition data and first compares the position data with the positiondata stored in the position module 42. If the two position data match,the display device displays the condition data in the correspondingdisplay section 41 a-41 d. If the two engine position data do not match,the condition data is ignored and not displayed.

Because each outboard motor 13 a-13 d has a corresponding display device40 a-40 d, the corresponding condition data for each outboard motor 13a-13 d can be conveniently displayed in the display devices 40 a-40 d.

As noted above, FIG. 9 includes a flow diagram illustrating a method forcorrelating the display devices 40 a-40 d with the motors 13 a-13 d. Themethod begins at a step 11 in which a user connects an engine conditiondisplay device 40 a and an outboard motor 13 a to the LAN 14. Becausethe display device 40 a and the motor 13 a have just been connected tothe watercraft 10, the device 40 a and the motor 13 a are not paired,i.e., the display device 40 a does not have the position datacorresponding to the motor 13 a stored in the position module 42 a.

The method also preferably includes a step S12, in which the LAN 11 isstarted. For example, the power to the LAN components is turned on.

The method also includes a step 13 in which a query command istransmitted from the added display device 40 a, to all of the otherdisplay devices and motors connected to the watercraft 10. In thisexample, the query command is transmitted to motor 13 a. however, ifother display devices and motors were connected, the query command wouldbe transmitted to all such devices. The query command is configured torequest that all of the other display devices and motors respond with anidentification response including position data stored therein.Optionally, all of the display devices can be configured toautomatically transmit the query command when switched on, or connectedto the LAN 11.

In a step 14, all of the other display devices and outboard motorsreceive the query command and reply by sending the identificationresponse including the position data stored in each device.

In a step S15, the added display device 40 a, which is the displaydevice that transmits the query command, receives the identificationresponses. In a step 16, the display device 40 a compares the positiondata included in the received identification response. This comparisoncan be used to determine to which motor the display device 40 a shouldbe connected. Preferably, the display device compares all of theidentification responses to determine if there are any paired displaydevices and motors. The display device then ignores the position data ofall the paired devices and motors, and looks for a position data that isincluded in only one identification response. This response is assumedto have been transmitted from a motor that is not already paired with adisplay device. Thus, the querying display device stores this positiondata in the position module.

In the condition that only a single pair of display devices and outboardmotors is connected to the LAN 11, e.g., device 40 a and motor 13 a, theidentification response is sent only from the outboard motor 13 a. Thus,the device 40 a stores the position data included in the identificationresponse from the motor 13 a in the position module 42 a, e.g., positiondata=1.

In a step S18, the steps S11-S17 are repeated until all of the desiredmotors and display devices are installed. When a second motor-displaydevice pair, e.g., motor 13 b and display device 40 b, is added to theLAN 11, and step S14 of the method is reached, the display device 40 bis the querying display device. Thus, the display device 40 a and themotors 13 a, 13 b transmit identification responses. As an illustrativeexample, the display device 40 a and the motor 13 a would respond withposition data=1, and the motor 13 b would respond with position data=2.

In the step S17 of this example, the display device 40 b would eliminatethe responses from the display device 40 a and the motor 13 a, becausethese response contain the same position data, i.e., position data=1.Thus, the display device 40 b stores the position data=2, and is therebypaired with the motor 13 b. In other words, the position data from apair of the display device 40 a and outboard motor 13 a will correspondwith each other, and only the position data transmitted from the addedoutboard motor 13 b will be left.

Once all of the engine condition display devices 40 a-40 d and theoutboard motors 13 a-13 d are connected to the inboard LAN 11, theprocedures from the steps S11 through S17 are repeated (step S18) untilall of the outboard motors 13 a-13 d are paired with display devices 40a-40 d.

The embodiments of the present invention are not limited to thoseembodiments described above and various changes and modifications may bemade without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention. Available engine position identifying information is notlimited to the shift and throttle control and the display of the enginecondition. It is with in the scope of the present invention any time itis advantageous to identify the position of an engine with in an arrayof engines.

1. An outboard motor comprising, an engine, a position module configuredto store position data indicative of a mounting position of the outboardmotor, at least one sensor configured to detect a condition of theengine and to generate an engine condition signal indicative of thecondition, and an output module configured to output data indicative ofthe condition and the position packeted together.
 2. The outboard motorof claim 1, wherein the output device comprises a network transmissionmodule configured to packet the condition and position data and totransmit the packet through a network disposed in a watercraft.
 3. Theoutboard motor of claim 1, wherein the outboard motor is mountable in aplurality of different positions on a watercraft.
 4. The outboard motorof claim 1 additionally comprising a position sensor configured todetect a position at which the outboard motor is mounted to awatercraft.
 5. The outboard motor of claim 4, wherein the positionsensor is configured to detect an electrical resistance and generate asignal indicative of the electrical resistance.
 6. An outboard motorcomprising, an engine, a position module configured to store positiondata indicative of a mounting position of the outboard motor, at leastone sensor configured to detect a condition of the engine and togenerate an engine condition signal indicative of the condition, anoutput module configured to output data indicative of the condition andthe position, a position sensor configured to detect a position at whichthe outboard motor is mounted to a watercraft, wherein the positionsensor is configured to detect an electrical resistance and generate asignal indicative of the electrical resistance, and a map correlatingelectrical resistance to position.
 7. A propulsion unit conditiondisplay comprising a position module configured to store position dataindicative of a position at which a propulsion unit is mounted to awatercraft, a communication module configured to receive a signalcontaining position data and propulsion unit condition data packetedtogether, and a display device configured to display propulsion unitcondition data that is received by the communication module and whichcorresponds to position data stored in the position module.
 8. Apropulsion unit condition display comprising a position moduleconfigured to store position data indicative of a position at which apropulsion unit is mounted to a watercraft, a communication moduleconfigured to receive a signal containing position data and propulsionunit condition data, and a display device configured to displaypropulsion unit condition data that is received by the communicationmodule and which corresponds to position data stored in the positionmodule, wherein the position module is configured to store dataindicative of any of a plurality of different positions at which thepropulsion unit could be mounted to the watercraft.
 9. A propulsion unitcondition display comprising a position module configured to storeposition data indicative of a position at which a propulsion unit ismounted to a watercraft, a communication module configured to receive asignal containing position data and propulsion unit condition data, anda display device configured to display propulsion unit condition datathat is received by the communication module and which corresponds toposition data stored in the position module a position selection moduleconfigured to allow any of a plurality of different position data to bestored in the position module.
 10. A propulsion unit condition displaycomprising a position module configured to store position dataindicative of a position at which a propulsion unit is mounted to awatercraft, a communication module configured to receive a signalcontaining position data and propulsion unit condition data, a displaydevice configured to display propulsion unit condition data that isreceived by the communication module and which corresponds to positiondata stored in the position module, a position selection moduleconfigured to allow any of a plurality of different position data to bestored in the position module, and-wherein the selection modulecomprises at least one physical switch.
 11. A network on a watercraftcomprising at least a first propulsion unit condition display configuredto display a condition of a first propulsion unit connected to thewatercraft, at least one sensor configured to detect a condition of thefirst propulsion unit and to generate a signal including condition dataindicative of the condition, and a communication device configured totransmit across the network the condition data packeted with positiondata indicative of a first position at which the propulsion unit ismounted to the watercraft.
 12. The network of claim 11, additionallycomprising at least a second propulsion unit condition display device, asecond sensor configured to detect a second condition of a secondpropulsion unit mounted to the watercraft and to generate second dataindicative of the second condition, and a second communication deviceconfigured to transmit across the network the second data packeted withsecond position data indicative of a second position at which the secondpropulsion unit is mounted to the watercraft.
 13. A network on awatercraft comprising at least a first propulsion unit condition displayconfigured to display a condition of a first propulsion unit connectedto the watercraft, at least one sensor configured to detect a conditionof the first propulsion unit and to generate a signal includingcondition data indicative of the condition, and a communication deviceconfigured to transmit across the network the condition data packetedwith position data indicative of a first position at which thepropulsion unit is mounted to the watercraft, wherein the communicationdevice is configured to transmit the packet in the form of radio waves.14. A method of correlating a display device to one of a plurality ofpropulsion units connected to a network, the method comprisingtransmitting a query command requesting an identification response fromall display devices and propulsion units connected to the networkwherein the identification response includes position data, receivingidentification responses from the display devices and motors connectedto the network, and determining if there are any identificationresponses with unique position data.
 15. The method according to claim14 additionally comprising storing the unique position data in aposition module.
 16. The method according to claim 14, whereintransmitting the query command comprises transmitting a query from afirst display device connected to the network.
 17. The method accordingto claim 16 additionally comprising storing the unique position data ina position module in the first display device.
 18. The method accordingto claim 14 additionally comprising receiving condition data coupledwith position data from one of the motors and comparing the positiondata from the motor with the position data stored in the positionmodule.
 19. A watercraft comprising an outboard motor, a network, atleast one other device connected to the network and communicating withthe outboard motor through the network, and means for packing togethercondition data of the device and position data of the device indicativeof a position at which the outboard motor is mounted to the watercraft.20. An outboard motor comprising, an engine, a position moduleconfigured to store position data indicative of a mounting position ofthe outboard motor, at least one sensor configured to detect a conditionof the engine and to generate an engine condition signal indicative ofthe condition, an output module configured to output data indicative ofthe condition and the position, and a receiving module configured toaccept data from a network only if the data includes position datacorresponding to the position data stored in the position module.
 21. Anoutboard motor comprising, an engine, a position module configured tostore position data indicative of a mounting position of the outboardmotor, at least one sensor configured to detect a condition of theengine and to generate an engine condition signal indicative of thecondition, and an output module configured to output data indicative ofthe condition and the position, wherein the outboard motor is mountablein a plurality of different positions on a watercraft, and wherein theoutboard motor is configured to communicate with at least one additionaloutboard motor through a network.
 22. A propulsion unit conditiondisplay comprising a position module configured to store position dataindicative of a position at which a propulsion unit is mounted to awatercraft, a communication module configured to receive a signalcontaining position data and propulsion unit condition data, and adisplay device configured to display propulsion unit condition data thatis received by the communication module and which corresponds toposition data stored in the position module, wherein the display isconfigured to be connected to at least one additional display and atleast a plurality of propulsion units over a network.